First Tee - Greater Richmond, Author at First Tee - Greater Richmond

First Tee – Greater Richmond Announces Hirings of Katie Guerin, Rachel Higgins

Guerin Joins as Vice President, Advancement; Higgins as Executive Assistant

RICHMOND, Va. (May 27, 2022) – First Tee – Greater Richmond has announced that Katie Guerin and Rachel Higgins have joined its staff as part of a continued organizational evolution.

“Katie and Rachel will both be instrumental in helping us forward our vision of strengthening the character of our community,” First Tee – Greater Richmond CEO Brent Schneider said. “We continue to add dynamic, mission-minded leaders to our team, and I am grateful that Katie and Rachel are joining us.”

Guerin brings over 12 years of fundraising experience to the organization and will be responsible for all aspects of charitable giving, including strategy, research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Additionally, she will serve on Schneider’s Senior Leadership Team.

Before coming to First Tee – Greater Richmond, Guerin served as the Director of Development and Communications for the City Kids Wilderness Project, which saw her manage and execute City Kids’ annual development and communications plan, stewarding an existing portfolio of individual and foundation major donors and building an individual giving pipeline.

Higgins, a mathematics major from UNCW and former flight attendant for American Airlines, will oversee day-to-day operations for the administrative office and lead scheduling, donor database administration, and board communications. Additionally, she will participate in institutional planning initiatives and assist as needed with special project management.

Guerin and Higgins both started in their positions earlier in May.

First Tee – Greater Richmond Named Honorable Mention Recipient in Prestigious PR Daily Social Media & Digital Awards

Belmont Reopening Campaign Garners National Recognition

RICHMOND, Va. (May 11, 2022) – First Tee – Greater Richmond has been named an honorable mention recipient of PR Daily’s Social Media & Digital Awards in the Media Relations Campaign category for its successful Belmont Reopening campaign.

PR Daily’s Social Media & Digital Awards celebrates the teams, organizations and agencies who have redefined the field with their groundbreaking work. First Tee – Greater Richmond was chosen from a wide pool of entries to receive an honorable mention in the media relations campaign for the impact of its Belmont reopening campaign.

The campaign encompassed both traditional and non-traditional media, including article placement with Golf.com, Golfweek, and Golf Digest, podcasts and an event with The Golfers Journal and video features in The Fire Pit Collective. In total, over 40 pieces of earned media generated over 110,000,000 total impressions and over $1 million estimated media value.

“First Tee – Greater Richmond set themselves apart from an outstanding field of applicants. Their work was exceptional and displayed their innovative strategies for achieving success. Congratulations, First Tee – Greater Richmond, and we look forward to your continued success,” said Brendan Gannon, Senior Marketing Manager for Awards Programs at Ragan Communications.

American Humane was the category winner for its Hero Dog Awards campaign. Nominees in the Media Relations Campaign category were:

ECMC Group: ECMC Group Helps Teens Question The Quo in Education
Endo International, plc: Endo’s Qwo® (collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes): The First and Only FDA-Approved Injectable for Cellulite
First Tee – Greater Richmond: Belmont Reopening
Lobeline Communications: The Original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit
SlicedBrand: Wasteless – Using AI to eliminate food waste and help the climate
United States Postal Service: Package Machine Deployment

Belmont reopened on May 24, 2021, with the historic A.W. Tillinghast design reimagined and renovated by Love Golf Design. The course features 12 restored A.W. Tillinghast holes – including 10 original greens complexes, alongside Little Bell, a 6-hole par 3 course; and The Ringer, a reversible 18-hole putting course; a driving range and practice area.

In 2021, Belmont saw 650 youth programming registrations for First Tee – Greater Richmond’s evidence-based life skills programs and camps, serving over 500 area youth. Over 20,000 rounds of golf was played on the property in just seven months from its opening through the end of 2021.

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About Ragan Communications

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About First Tee – Greater Richmond

First Tee – Greater Richmond is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Through three major programming areas, the First Tee Life Skills Experience, the First Tee School Program, and collaborative community partnerships, First Tee – Greater Richmond reached more than 70,050 youth in 2021.

Keith Middleton, Mike Nowicki, Ennis Warlick Join First Tee – Greater Richmond Staff

RICHMOND, Va. (April 27, 2022) – First Tee – Greater Richmond has announced that Mike Nowicki has joined the organization as its Senior Director of Agronomy, while Ennis Warlick has been hired as Social Media and Marketing Coordinator. Additionally, Keith Middleton is joining the organization as its fractional Chief Financial Officer.

In his role, Nowicki will oversee and lead all operations of golf course maintenance at all three First Tee – Greater Richmond facilities – Belmont, The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range, and The Tattersall Youth Development Center. Nowicki arrives at First Tee – Greater Richmond after two years as the Golf Course Superintendent at Lakeside Park Club across the street from Belmont.

Across his 12 years in golf agronomy, Nowicki has worked at some of the finest golf facilities in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, including a 2.5-year stint as the Senior Assistant Superintendent at Kinloch Golf Club, providing world-class course conditioning for the top-100 rated course, before moving to Lakeside Park Club.

At Lakeside Park Club, Nowicki drastically improved course conditions, restoring tee boxes, removing trees, and helping maintain Donald Ross’ original vision of the property. Prior to moving east, Nowicki entered the profession as an intern at The Warren Course at Notre Dame before moving on to Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Ind.

Across his career, Nowicki has overseen and assisted with agronomic operations at tournaments for the USGA, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, Korn Ferry Tour, NCAA, and Big Ten.

“Mike brings a wealth of experience from his tournament work and proven standards at high-end clubs,” First Tee – Greater Richmond Vice President of Operations Mark Lynch said. “Moreover, he believes in our mission and will make our facilities comparable to the best clubs in Virginia in order to provide the community and our participants an incredible experience each time they come to one of our properties.”

A 2021 graduate of Elon University, Warlick brings videography, storytelling, and social media management skills to First Tee – Greater Richmond. With First Tee, Warlick will help generate editorial content across multiple social media platforms and channels, helping to demonstrate and further the organization’s mission.

Warlick has produced films for NFL Draft prospects and was the Social Media Manager for UBALL, based out of Los Angeles, through December 2021. While at Elon, Warlick worked both behind and in front of the camera for Elon One on One Sports, while also working live sporting events with Phoenix All-Access. Additionally, Warlick produced documentaries as a member of student media.

“We are thrilled to add Ennis to our team,” Vice President of Communications and Engagement Bill Potter said. “Over the last five years, both at Elon and professionally, he has demonstrated his considerable talents, and his capabilities will allow us to further tell our organization’s stories across wide-ranging and dynamic mediums.”

Middleton is a co-managing partner and co-founder of Fahrenheit Advisors and will be assisting First Tee – Greater Richmond in its financial and strategic operations to further optimize the organization.

A member of Fahrenheit’s Leadership Team, Middleton also oversees the firm’s consulting and fractional services, as well as risk management and operations. A seasoned corporate finance executive, Middleton’s expertise has helped Fahrenheit expand across multiple service lines and geographies.

Prior to launching Fahrenheit, Middleton held various executive positions including CFO of a $6 billion foodservice distributor focused on acquisition integration and growth, and senior vice president-corporate controller for a Fortune 500 company where he built out finance teams, processes, and systems to support the company’s growth.

Middleton, Nowicki and Warlick all began their tenures with First Tee – Greater Richmond earlier in April.

Meg Lavinder Selected for First Tee John Deere Drive Your Future Academy

RICHMOND, Va. (April 19, 2022) – Meg Lavinder from First Tee — Greater Richmond has been selected to attend the First Tee John Deere Drive Your Future Academy June 6-10 in San Francisco, Calif. The academy will immerse participants in both San Francisco’s historic and modern culture, in addition to participating in workshops and playing golf with new mentors.

Lavinder, 16, is a junior at Mechanicsville High School in Hanover County has been a participant at First Tee – Greater Richmond for eight years. Last year, Lavinder qualified for the Virginia High School State Championship and earned national recognition with her first career hole-in-one while playing at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic Pro-Am.

The all-girls event will focus on learning the value and impact of volunteerism, understanding the significance of values and skills learned through playing the game of golf, and recognizing the importance of building a strong network.

“We are so proud of Meg on earning the opportunity to attend the John Deere Drive Your Future Academy,” said Brittany Woo, Senior Director of Programming at First Tee – Greater Richmond. “Meg is one of our most authentic First Tee participants and creates a collaborative and inclusive community through her passion for golf. In addition to all her extracurricular activities and being a stellar golfer, she gives back to the First Tee community through junior coaching and as the President of our Junior Advisory Board. Not only will this be a great way for her to learn and meet new mentors across the country but a way to become a greater leader within the network and at our local chapter in Richmond.”

Lavinder is one of 24 participants selected to attend the Academy and was selected based on activities, essay responses, chapter involvement and letters of recommendation.

For more information on First Tee – Greater Richmond, visit www.firstteerva.org.

2022 First Tee John Deere Drive Your Future Academy Participants
Aditi Balakrishna, First Tee — Tri-Valley
Dominique Barksdale, First Tee — Greater Washington, DC
Sarah Brannigan, First Tee — Metropolitan New York
Jayda Dookie, First Tee — Florida Gold Coast
Jillian Fatkin, First Tee — Coastal Carolinas
Jackie Freibert, First Tee — Greater Charleston
Naomi Garcia, First Tee — Lake County
Elizabeth Gong, First Tee — San Francisco
Ave Heaton, First Tee — Triangle
Jerina Hill, First Tee — Central Carolina
Katarina Hoag, First Tee — North Florida
Thalia Hoyos, First Tee — Metropolitan Oklahoma City
Ana Hunter, First Tee — Tennessee
Lilliee-Ann Jacobs, First Tee — Eastern Michigan
Avery Janutolo, First Tee — Pine Mountain
Zara Karim, First Tee — Greater Washington, DC
Meg Lavinder, First Tee — Greater Richmond
Sanaa Lemen, First Tee — Fort Worth
Charlize Munar, First Tee — Inland Empire
Maria Ramos, First Tee — Greater Philadelphia
Abigail Staples, First Tee — Greater Houston
Emily Vang, First Tee — Fresno
Jordan Williams, First Tee — Central Valley
Haley Wong, First Tee — Greater Sacramento

First Tee – Greater Richmond Announces Board of Directors, Staff Updates, Additions

RICHMOND, Va. (Feb. 25, 2022) – First Tee – Greater Richmond has announced several updates and additions to both its Board of Directors and operational staff as it continues its organizational evolution.

“As First Tee – Greater Richmond continues to grow and evolve, I am grateful that we have been able to attract talented mission-minded staff and volunteer leaders to guide the organization into the future,” CEO Brent Schneider said.

Joining the Board in 2022 are Andrea Archer, Cary Baronian and Bryan Jones. Archer serves as the Senior Director of Human Resources at Altria, while Baronian is a partner and Director of Research at Heritage Wealth Advisors. Jones is currently the Chief Administrative Officer at Hourigan.

Additionally, Patty Merrill was elected to become the Chair of First Tee – Greater Richmond’s Board. Merrill is the fourth person and first woman to serve in the role in the organization’s history. Since joining the Board in 2017, Merrill has served on the Governance Committee and been actively involved in the organization’s strategic planning, including the renovation and restoration of Belmont, which reopened in 2021.

“I am honored to build on the strong leadership of each of the prior Chairs,” Merrill said. “I look forward to working with our Board and staff to continue impacting the lives of young people through educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.”

Schneider also announced the creation of a new leadership team to reflect the growth and increasing needs of the organization:

Mark Lynch, PGA, as Vice President of Operations, will now oversee all three First Tee – Greater Richmond facilities – Belmont, The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range, and The Tattersall Youth Development Center – leading its PGA Professionals, operations, and maintenance staffs.
Kelly (McAnally) Brown is now the Vice President of Impact, helping formulate and grow strategic partnerships across First Tee – Greater Richmond facilities and youth programs while also leading efforts to build a high-performing, inclusive, mission-driven culture across the organization.
Bill Potter was promoted to Vice President of Communications and Engagement, where he is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization’s external and internal communications and marketing efforts, along with leading selected special events.
Brittany Woo will continue to serve as the organization’s Senior Director of Programming, where the First Tee – Greater Richmond alumna has led its evidence-based youth programs, camps, coaches and volunteers since 2020.

All four will serve on Schneider’s leadership team, along with a newly-created Vice President of Advancement position. Additionally, First Tee – Greater Richmond will be adding positions within social media and administration in the coming months.

First Tee – Greater Richmond has also added to its operational staff, welcoming Olivia Bowling, PGA, as its Head Golf Professional at Belmont, and Josh Pawlus as its Director of Golf Operations at The Tattersall Youth Development Center.

Bowling joins First Tee – Greater Richmond from The Country Club of Virginia, where she has been a PGA Assistant Golf Professional since 2017. A Class A PGA Professional, Bowling received the P.J. Boatwright Internship at the Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA) after a four-year career on the Randolph-Macon women’s golf team, captaining the Yellow Jackets in 2015-16. Bowling was the first four-time All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) First Team selection in conference history, twice being named ODAC Player of the Year.

Pawlus comes to the organization after spending the last seven years at Ball State University, where he rose to the Assistant Athletic Director of Game Operations for the Cardinals. In his seven years in Muncie, Ind., Pawlus served as a member of the athletics leadership team while coordinating daily scheduling for all 19 varsity sports and serving as the liaison between the athletics department and facilities. In total, Pawlus brings 13 years of collegiate athletics operations experience to First Tee – Greater Richmond.

Belmont, First Tee – Greater Richmond Honored with VSGA Grow the Game Award

RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 15, 2022) – Belmont Golf Course has been selected as the recipient of the Virginia State Golf Association’s (VSGA) Grow the Game Award, the organization announced on Saturday. The VSGA made the announcement during its annual meeting, held at Willow Oaks Country Club.

The Grow the Game Award recognizes the positive impact and efforts made to grow the game of golf in Virginia, with the VSGA recognizing First Tee – Greater Richmond for its work in renovating, restoring and reimagining Belmont golf course in Henrico County. Belmont is the first organization to receive the accolade in the five years of the award.

“We are thrilled to be named the recipient of this year’s VSGA Grow the Game Award,” First Tee – Greater Richmond CEO Brent Schneider said. “The transformation and renovation of Belmont has been a true team effort and First Tee – Greater Richmond is proud to be the stewards of such a special place. We look forward to the future and know the new Belmont will help deliver on our vision to strengthen the character of our community.”

After being selected to operate the property via Henrico County’s RFP process in 2019, First Tee – Greater Richmond, in partnership with Love Golf Design, embarked on an ambitious reimagination of World Golf Hall of Fame architect A.W. Tillinghast’s 1917 design.

With the help of lead architect Scot Sherman, the project converted the 18-hole course into a championship 12 holes, restoring Tillinghast’s vision and bringing back 10 of 12 original green complexes; created a six-hole par-3 course featuring Tillinghast template holes; an 18-hole putting course that measures the largest in the state, checking in at over 34,000-square feet; and a full practice facility that allows Belmont to host First Tee camps, programs and clinics, while also allowing the public to utilize both driving and short game ranges.

Belmont reopened to the public on May 29, 2021, with the property seeing over 24,000 rounds played in just seven months. Furthermore, over 400 area youth attended First Tee – Greater Richmond’s evidence-based camps, programs and clinics in the summer and fall.

Belmont remains the only golf course in Virginia that has hosted a men’s major championship and one of only two Tillinghast courses nationwide that has hosted a major and is currently open for public play — the other being Bethpage Black in New York. The course has been touched by several World Golf Hall of Fame members, including Tillinghast, Donald Ross (1921), Ben Hogan (1945 Richmond Invitational), Gene Sarazen and Sam Snead (1949 PGA Championship); and Davis Love III (2020-21).

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D’yan Robinson Selected for First Tee Innovators Forum

RICHMOND, Va. (Aug. 28, 2021) – D’yan Robinson from First Tee — Greater Richmond has been selected to attend the First Tee Innovators Forum October 8–11 in San Jose, Calif. The forum will empower First Tee teens to develop a meaningful service project in their communities focusing on raising awareness on issues surrounding education, health and sustainability. Robinson, 17, is a senior at Collegiate School in Richmond and has been a participant at First Tee – Greater Richmond for 12 years. Earlier this summer, she participated in the First Tee Game Changers Academy in Philadelphia, which focused on issues of diversity, equality and inclusion. Interactive workshops and small breakout sessions during the forum will cover a variety of topics including the importance of community service, volunteerism, and environmental sustainability, and will be presented by experts in the respective fields. During the workshops, Robinson will have the opportunity to learn from global industry leaders at the three-day summit. At the end of the forum, a total of $32,000 will be awarded to eight attending participants to further their educational pursuits. “Congratulations to D’yan on earning this national opportunity.” said Kelly McAnally, Chief Operating Officer of First Tee – Greater Richmond. “D’yan is one of First Tee’s shining stars, having been part of the Game Changers Academy in addition to being a First Tee – Greater Richmond participant over the last 12 years. We’re excited for her to have another opportunity to meet with other like-minded participants from across the country and continue on her path of positively impacting lives in and around Richmond.” Robinson is one of 28 participants selected to attend the Innovators Forum and was selected based on academic achievement, community service, chapter involvement, leadership, essay responses and letters of recommendation. First Tee – Greater Richmond is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee – Greater Richmond creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.

Belmont Announces Food & Beverage Partners

RICHMOND, Va. (July 9, 2021) – First Tee — Greater Richmond has announced its local food and beverage partners for Belmont, which opened to the public on May 29. Among the food and beverage partners are Birdie’s Pimento Cheese, Route 11 Potato Chips, Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, Belle Isle Moonshine, Fore Craft Cocktails and Väsen Brewing Company. Additionally, Belmont is working with local restaurants and caterers to develop menu items to feature at Belmont and is continually accepting inquiries from interested event catering partners. “These partnerships continue to reflect the vision of First Tee – Greater Richmond: to strengthen the character of our community,” Belmont Food and Beverage Manager Lee Gordon said. “As a community golf course, we are proud to provide a venue for local food and beverage specialties to shine. We hope that in trying a local option at Belmont, our patrons will then support our partners off the course as well.” Birdie’s, Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, and Route 11 have been featured at Belmont since earlier this month following the completion of the turn house behind the course’s third hole. Based in South Hill, Va., Birdie’s Pimento Cheese offers a curious twist on a traditional southern staple. Priding itself on big flavor and quality ingredients, Birdie’s variety of pimento cheeses are offered as sandwiches and stand-alone dip at Belmont. A Richmond staple since 1937, Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods continues to offer ready-to-heat meals, sides, salads, and delicious baked goods to grocers and retailers across Virginia. Ukrop’s famous chicken salad sandwich is among Belmont’s menu offerings, while the company’s homestyle sides are a feature of Belmont’s events and catering options this summer. Opened in Middletown, Va., in 1992, Route 11 has risen to prominence through its commitment to traditional, small-batch cooking of its potato chips. The company offers nine flavors of its award-winning chips, five of which are offered at Belmont, including the popular Chesapeake Crab, Sour Cream and Chive, and Mama Zuma’s Revenge. Started in 2013 between brothers-in-law, Belle Isle has been a pioneer in the distribution of premium moonshine within Virginia. Belle Isle continues that tradition with its line of canned cocktails, several of which will be carried at Belmont. Fore Craft Cocktails was founded in 2021, focusing exclusively on canned transfusion cocktails. Based in Richmond, Fore Craft enjoys wide distribution around golf courses in the Richmond metropolitan area, including Belmont. Founded in 2017, Väsen Brewing Company produces balanced, sessional beers that are perfect for long days outside. Väsen is committed to celebrating those who share an appreciation for the outdoors and sparking positive change in their communities. Belmont will offer several Väsen options, including Hefeweizen, Läger and Radapils Pilsner. Designed by famed architect A.W. Tillinghast in 1917 and renovated by Donald Ross a decade later, Belmont Golf Course hosted the 1945 Richmond Invitational, won by Ben Hogan, and the 1949 PGA Championship, won by Sam Snead. Restored and reimagined by Love Golf Design in 2021, Belmont remains the only golf course in Virginia that has hosted a men’s major championship and one of only two Tillinghast courses nationwide that has hosted a major and is still open for public play — the other being Bethpage Black.

First Tee – Greater Richmond Announces Staff Additions

RICHMOND, Va. (July 2, 2021) – First Tee – Greater Richmond has announced that Demitri Keopradit and Chandler Scott have joined the operations staff, both as Assistant Golf Professionals. Keopradit will be primarily based out of The Tattersall Youth Development Center in Chesterfield, while Scott is working at The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range in downtown Richmond. Both collegiate golfers, Keopradit and Scott will have a wide array of responsibilities, including assisting in the daily operations at The Tattersall and Elson Redmond, providing lessons and club fitting sessions, and overseeing golf leagues, tournaments, and patron relationships. “Chandler and Demitri are great additions to our growing team and will make an immediate impact at our facilities,” First Tee – Greater Richmond Chief Operating Officer Kelly McAnally said. “With their collegiate golf experience in addition to previous positions at high end courses in the Mid-Atlantic region, they are excellent role models for our First Tee participants in addition to providing first class customer service to the Greater Richmond community.” Keopradit comes to First Tee – Greater Richmond after working at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm shortly after concluding his collegiate career. At Wilson College, Keopradit was chosen to the 2014-15 North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) All-Conference Second Team, becoming the first male athlete to be named on an NEAC all-conference team. The opportunity at First Tee – Greater Richmond brings Keopradit, a native of Springfield, Va., back to his home state. Scott started at First Tee – Greater Richmond in late May after a successful career on the Virginia Wesleyan University men’s golf team. Scott joined the Marlins during his sophomore year, becoming a consistent fixture in the team’s five-man lineup. A native of Chesapeake, Va., Scott brings a lineage of golf professionals to First Tee – Greater Richmond, as his father was a PGA Professional. First Tee – Greater Richmond is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee – Greater Richmond creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. For more information on First Tee – Greater Richmond, visit www.firstteerva.org.

D’Yan Robinson Selected for First Tee Game Changers Academy

RICHMOND, Va. (June 11, 2021) – D’yan Robinson from First Tee — Greater Richmond has been selected to attend the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. in Philadelphia, July 20-24, 2021. Robinson is one of 48 teens from the First Tee network who has been selected for the five-day learning and empowerment academy and will participate in critical conversations around issues of identity, racism, equity and empathy.

Robinson, 17, is a rising senior at Collegiate School in Richmond and has been a participant at First Tee – Greater Richmond for 12 years.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion have been part of the fabric of First Tee since the beginning, and we are proud to provide an event that allows teens from across the country to go deeper on the subject,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “First Tee is about empowering these young people to be game changers in their community. Congratulations to D’yon for being selected from a national pool of candidates to represent First Tee – Greater Richmond at this event.”

The event will feature engaging and interactive workshops facilitated by RISE, a national nonprofit and leader in the sports community championing social justice and working to improve race relations. The workshops will explore a multitude of topics that encourage personal growth and understanding of diversity concepts that foster positive change in the community.

The workshops will be paired with reflections led by nationally trained First Tee coaches, team building activities such as a scavenger hunt in the city of Philadelphia and a community outreach project, and keynote speakers from the sports industry including Vice-President, Community & Inclusion for the PGA TOUR Marsha Oliver.

First Tee – Greater Philadelphia will host the teens for golf outings at John F. Byrne Golf Course where they will continue to build upon their connections with other participants from around the country and hear different perspectives from their peers.

First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to inspire and encourage high school students on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. The Academy honors First Tee’s former CEO, Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., who led the organization from 2000 until his retirement in 2017.

First Tee – Greater Richmond is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee – Greater Richmond creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.

For more information on First Tee – Greater Richmond, visit www.firstteerva.org.

Belmont Announces Corporate Partners

RICHMOND, Va. (May 20, 2021) – First Tee — Greater Richmond has announced its corporate partners for Belmont, which will open to the public on Saturday, May 29. Included among the corporate partners are CapTech Consulting, Dynamic Brands, Peebles Golf Carts, Peter Millar and Revels Turf and Tractor. “These partnerships reflect the vision of First Tee – Greater Richmond: to strengthen the character of our community,” First Tee – Greater Richmond CEO Brent Schneider said. “All of our partners are locally and regionally based, and we are grateful that they share in our mission of making Belmont an entry point to the game of golf for all.” CapTech, a Richmond-based national technology consulting firm, will be part of the Phase 2 developments at Belmont which will include the development of a state-of-the-art golf technology lab in the former pro shop. With an emphasis on inclusivity, the lab will support training and development for all skill levels through the innovative use of data, design and technology. A central goal of the lab is to connect and integrate data from golf training tools, mobile devices and third-party sources. Additional details, including renderings of the lab, will be shared later this year with an anticipated opening in the spring of 2022. Dynamic Brands will be providing Bag Boy push carts and Devant Sport Towels at Belmont, including the award-winning Nitron™ auto-open push cart. The Nitron’s revolutionary, one-step auto open technology makes it the easiest opening cart in golf, and Devant Sport Towels is known as the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality custom towels. In addition, Bag Boy will be the exclusive rental cart provider to Belmont. Dynamic Brands will also be hosting a special 75th anniversary “Walk the Course” event at Belmont on June 5. Established in 2004, Dynamic Brands is the Richmond-based parent company for a portfolio of premium brands committed to the development of innovative, quality products and outstanding customer service in the sporting goods industry. Golf and recreational products are offered through Bag Boy®, Burton®, Datrek® Golf, Devant Sport Towels®, Haas-Jordan™, IGOTCHA®, SEARCH ‘N RESCUE® and FLAGPOLE-TO-GO® brands, and include walking carts, golf bags, travel covers, umbrellas, custom sport towels, bag tags, golf ball retrievers, flags and accessories. First Tee – Greater Richmond’s partnership with Peebles Golf Carts also extends to The Tattersall Youth Development Center, with the Glen Allen-based business delivering a fleet of Club Cars at both facilities. The Belmont-branded golf carts will also be equipped with dual USB ports for the ease of charging phones and speakers. Peter Millar will be the official apparel provider and retailer at Belmont. The Raleigh, N.C.-based company will outfit Belmont staff, while patrons of Belmont will also be able to purchase Peter Millar polos, belts and additional apparel on site. The Official Golf Equipment Supplier for the PGA Tour, Revels Turf and Tractor is providing Belmont with a full line of John Deere golf turf equipment, including fairway and green mowers, Gator utility vehicles and aerators. Additionally, the partnership will provide funding for four scholarship positions designed to bring people into the world of golf course maintenance. The scholarships will fund two technical, mechanical positions at Belmont along with two agronomy-focused jobs at the course. Love Golf Design, co-founded by World Golf Hall of Fame member and 21-time PGA tour winner Davis Love III, led the renovations at Belmont that started in May 2020, with a grand re-opening ceremony on May 24. The course will open to the public on May 29, with tee times available later this spring at PlayBelmontRVA.org. Designed by famed architect A.W. Tillinghast in 1917 and renovated by Donald Ross a decade later, Belmont Golf Course hosted the 1945 Richmond Invitational, won by Ben Hogan, and the 1949 PGA Championship, won by Sam Snead. Belmont remains the only golf course in Virginia that has hosted a major championship and one of only two Tillinghast courses nationwide that has hosted a major and is still open for public play — the other being Bethpage Black.

First Tee – Greater Richmond, Richmond Kickers Unveil Alternate Black Kits

RICHMOND, Va. – (Wednesday, May 19, 2021) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce a new partnership with First Tee – Greater Richmond, who will feature on the front of the Kickers’ new alternate black kit. First Tee – Greater Richmond is the first non-profit to feature on the front of a Richmond Kickers’ kit in the club’s 29 seasons.

“We are excited to partner with First Tee – Greater Richmond because of our similar missions to strengthen community connections,” said Kickers Chairman, Rob Ukrop. “The values learned at the golf course and on the soccer field will help prepare the next generation of young people to lead. We believe introducing both soccer and golf to the wider RVA community will make us stronger together.”

First Tee – Greater Richmond is a nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Through three major programming areas, the First Tee Life Skills Experience, the First Tee School Program, and collaborative community partnerships, First Tee – Greater Richmond reached more than 71,000 youth in 2019.

“We are proud to be included on the Kickers’ alternate kit and partner with another like-minded organization,” added Brent Schneider, Chief Executive Officer of First Tee of Greater Richmond. “Through their commitment to the community and to making soccer accessible for all, they were a natural fit within our vision at First Tee – Greater Richmond: to strengthen the character of our community.

“We look forward to the partnership and collaborating on additional ways where our organizations can work together within the greater Richmond community.”

As with the primary and secondary kits, Bon Secours will feature on the back of the alternate kit during the 2021 season.

Bon Secours enters their seventh year as a partner of the Kickers. As the Official Healthcare Services Provider of the Richmond Kickers, Bon Secours brings a full spectrum of high-quality sports medicine care and services to both the Kickers professional team and youth players, including concussion awareness and management, orthopedic care, sports performance services, physical therapy, safety education, and injury prevention practices.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with the Richmond Kickers, and we are proud of the work we have done together over the last several years to strengthen the health of our community by helping Richmond’s youth stay active,” added Ryan Stuhlreyer, Vice President of Service Line Strategy, Bon Secours Richmond. “We look forward to maintaining this momentum into another great year and season ahead.”

The Kickers will debut the new alternate black kit in front of the home fans at City Stadium this Saturday night against North Carolina FC. Kickoff for that match is set for 6:30 p.m. The match will also stream live on ESPN+, and locally in Richmond on WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466). A limited number of tickets are still available at RichmondKickers.com/tickets.